Best Teachers in Portland!

We are experts in bass, drum set, guitar, mandolin, piano, songwriting, ukulele, and voice.

Neli Mattson

Ragon Linde

Drums, voice, guitar, bass

Ragon (they/them) is a professional musician working as a solo performer and recording artist, music teacher, recording engineer, radio DJ, and supporting musician. On top of their solo recording and performing work, they also play in four Portland bands. Ragon wishes to use their skills as a musician, teacher, and organizer to connect with people, enrich lives, and make a difference in their community.  Read more…

Neli Mattson

Amanda Sloane

Voice, piano, guitar, ukulele

Amanda (she/her) is a lifelong musician and multi-instrumentalist who has written and performed original music, played keys in experimental bands, sung in musicals, and composed music for films and audiobooks. As a trained vocal instructor, she has been teaching students of all ages, genres, and abilities for 10 years. Amanda believes that teaching music is a great way to make a difference in people’s lives. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Bobby Meador

Piano, guitar, bass, drums

Bobby (he/him) started playing guitar when he was 13. When he was 19 he learned to read music and began his studies in classical guitar with James Reid at the University of Idaho. He has been teaching and playing professionally for about a decade and has his masters in classical guitar performance. Bobby’s main focus in lessons is building relationships and focusing on the fundamentals. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Juliet Terrill

Guitar, bass

Juliet (she/her) is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist with over 20 years of experience in bass and guitar who has toured internationally with a wide array of musical groups. She has a bachelors of arts in music from Sam Houston State University, and has held a longtime passion for teaching as well as performing. Juliet’s goal is to help each student discover the true artist that dwells within them.  Read more…

Neli Mattson

Nicholas Welch

Guitar, bass, ukulele

Nicholas (he/him) is a singer/songwriter and guitar player born and raised in Utah. He’s been playing guitar for 20 years and has been a part of numerous projects ranging many genres. Nicholas was in Utah State University’s elite Music Therapy Program before he embarked on a path of music performance and production. As a teacher, he focuses on “feel”, fundamentals, deep listening, and improvisation. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Lauren Hatch

Piano

Lauren (she/her) started playing piano as a child. She was classically trained but discovered jazz as a teenager and realized that playing music with other people is not only fun, but also a good way to make friends. She has spent the last twenty years playing in various bands and ensembles. Lauren empowers students to explore their musical path and achieve their goals through patient and step by step instruction. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Nick Hamel

Guitar, bass, piano, drums

Nick (he/him) is a Portland native and graduate of the University of Oregon’s jazz studies program. Nick’s musical journey has taken him across the United States and Europe, where he’s performed notably at Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and Monterey Jazz Festival in California. Nick empowers students to explore their musical path and achieve their goals through patient and step by step instruction. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Fedja Zahirovic

Guitar, bass, piano

Fedja (he/him) studied piano and guitar in his youth. He has spent 20 years performing professionally prior to earning his Bachelor’s degree in musicology and ethnomusicology from Portland State University. Lessons with Fedja focus on building fundamentals, music theory, and learning to play! He is patient, kind, and uses positive reinforcement to support his students on a path toward achieving their goals. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Ross Garlow

Bass, guitar

Ross (he/him) holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Originally from Philadelphia, he spent 5 years traveling the world as a music director for major production companies and cruise lines. Ross is very active in the local music scene in Portland. Ross has a decade of experience teaching private bass and guitar lessons. Lessons with Ross focus on developing the student’s passion for and understanding of music. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Joseph Berman

Guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, drums

Joseph (he/they) is an active member of the Portland music scene with a master’s degree in jazz composition from the University of Miami. Joseph can be heard performing with folk-pop outfit Robin Jackson and the Caravan, and klezmer violinist Michelle Alany. Joseph believes in taking time to get to know each student, and to develop for them a personalized course of study based on their interests and needs. Read more…

Angie Fritz

Reb Conner

Guitar, voice, songwriting

Reb (she/her) holds a degree in music from the University of Oregon. She has a decade of experience performing live and touring internationally, including as the front-woman of High Step Society, a band that played for crowds of thousands. She plays many styles, from Bossa Nova to pop. Lessons with Reb are designed to help build confidence and challenge students to grow in whatever direction they want to go. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Jesse Feinstein

Piano, bass, drums

Jesse (he/him) has studied piano since age 4. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in jazz piano from Portland State University. He has more than a decade of experience performing jazz, classical, and salsa with many professional groups. Jesse’s lessons focus on each student’s goals, nurturing creativity and personal development. He teaches with kindness, enthusiasm, and patience–an approach well suited to both children and adults. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Brenden Ramirez

Guitar, bass, songwriting

Brenden (he/him) is a guitarist and educator based in Portland, Oregon. Brenden attended Willamette University and earned his B.A. in music with an emphasis in improvisation. Brenden is an avid songwriter and writes and records his own music under the project name “Bory.” Having experience with students of all ages and skill levels, Brenden is a patient, versatile teacher who loves to see his students grow. Read more…

Neli Mattson

David Elan Kelley

Guitar, ukulele

David (he/him) is a singer, songwriter, composer and holds a Masters Degree in music performance from Portland State University. David has been performing and teaching music for 30 years. He writes and performs music in many styles including rock, pop, jazz, classical, folk, hip-hop, and blues. As a teacher David is patient and empathetic, and his greatest joy is when a student really “gets” the lesson they are working on. Read more…

Neli Mattson

Harmon

Guitar, ukulele, piano, bass, mandolin

Harmon (they/them) holds a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from UC Santa Cruz. They were raised by musical parents, one a former concert promoter, and the other a children’s sing-a-long teacher. Harmon performs regularly with their jazz-punk band Blood Honey. They teach students as young as five years old. Lessons with Harmon help students develop a passion for music in a fun and energetic way. Read more…

Your first lesson is on us!

Follow the link to schedule your Kickstart Session, a free 30 minute lesson where we play, chat, and find out if we're a great fit.

Montavilla East Tabor Business Association
Music Teachers National Association
Oregon Music Teachers Association
Montavilla East Tabor Business Association